Category Archives: Sony

Train2Game News Mark Cerny Developmental Legend

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Mark CernyMark Cerny will be inducted as 2014’s Development Legend at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Brighton, UK on July 9th.

The video games icon will join an elite few to pick up the prestigious accolade. Previous recipients include the likes of Tim Sweeney, Mark Rein, David Perry, Peter Molyneux, David Braben, Charles Cecil, Phil Harrison and Ian Livingstone.

The award acknowledges Cerny’s significant contribution to the games industry throughout his impressive career.

His debut game at age 18 was Marble Madness for Atari in 1984, the first release in a sparkling career that saw him travel the world working on major hits such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter, Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, Killzone 3, and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Most recently Cerny is celebrated for being the mastermind behind the technical architecture of Sony’s PS4 console. The device for which he was lead system architect has already sold over seven million units, just six months after release – a games industry record.

Cerny will collect the award in person at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards, an event hosted by Develop (www.develop-online.net) and its publisher Intent Media.

“Mark Cerny is a true legend of games development,” said Develop’s publisher Michael French. “He is a respected games designer and hardware developer with a multi-faceted, cross-discipline skill set. He has helped shape some of the most compelling original titles in the history of interactive entertainment, and has been a true visionary in the design of new games machines. We look forward to presenting this award to him and celebrating his career on July 9th.”

The Develop Awards take place at the Brighton Metropole hotel. The event honours the achievements and efforts in the last year by European games studios, global technology partners and hardworking service companies.

The finalists for the award were unveiled last week. 136 companies are in the running to win one of 24 awards. You can see the full its of nominees here:  http://www.develop-online.net/news/develop-awards-2014-the-finalists-revealed/0192226

You can book a table or single seat at the event by contacting  Kathryn.Humphrey@intentmedia.co.uk or calling 01992 535 646.

Train2Game News PlayStation 4 big update

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PS4Sony have announced a huge update for PlayStation 4 including a rich new video editing application, is available today.

In version 1.70 SHAREfactory will be available to download on to your next generation Sony console. Once installed, the app will let you edit video game captures with special effects and, video commentary with picture in picture and the ability to add a custom sound track to your videos. Once created your videos can then be shared straight to Facebook or downloaded on to a USB hard drive.

In the new update you will also have the ability to automatic pre-download so those games that you have pre-ordered that you are dieing to play will be available to be downloaded several days before the release date so that your game is ready to go on the day with no pesky waiting!

There are many other updates coming in the new update and a full list of features can be found at http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/04/30/ps4-system-update-1-70-launches-tomorrow-full-feature-list/

Train2Game News Driveclub release date

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DriveclubIt’s a big day at Worldwide Studios as they have announced a launch date for the much anticipated PS4 exclusive title from Evolution Studios – Driveclub.

The team has been working relentlessly on the game and have captured a new video to showcase just how impressive it’s currently looking. The studio planned for the game to be ready for early 2014 and are committed to delivering on their ambitious promise of creating a truly innovative, socially connected racing game.

The problem with being ambitious is you have to be prepared to accept there will be challenges along the way. What Driveclub offers has not been previously achieved in this category and because of this, the team needed more time to give you the game you’re waiting for.

You can enjoy the stunning fast racing action for Driveclub in the new trailer below. The game is due to be released on PlayStation 4 October 8 2014.

Train2Game News PlayStation 4 hits huge landmark

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PS4PlayStation 4 has passed seven million units sold worldwide as of April 6th, Sony has confirmed today. Sony’s console is outselling Microsoft’s Xbox One by more than a third.

Microsoft said earlier this year that its console has been selling more quickly than the Xbox 360 and original Xbox when they debuted, but has admitted that it needs to be in more markets. The console will be coming to 26 more countries in September.

The Xbox maker last gave firm sales figures of 3.9 million in January, but with the March release of Titanfall MCV reported a sales spike of 96 per cent.

“The response from the global gaming community for PS4 has been overwhelming and we are truly humbled that gamers are selecting PS4 as their next generation console of choice,” said SCEI president and group CEO Andrew House.

“The PS4 journey has just begun, and although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers, and surpassing the wildest expectations of gamers by delivering new user experiences that inspire and engage.”

For PS4 owners, of more interest than sales figures will be the 1.70 firmware update that’s coming to consoles next week. Sony said includes a new video editing tool called ShareFactory. The app will allow users to more easily edit their recorded footage, adding transitions, commentary and custom soundtracks.

The update will also let users automatically download games they’ve pre-ordered, a feature that may help relieve server crashes on game launch days.

Train2Game News Unity games on Sony platforms free

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unity-logoUnity game engine support for PlayStation Mobile app development is on the way, and a preview version has just been released.

A public preview has been released today gives Unity users the opportunity to bring their games to PlayStation Mobile-compatible devices, including PS Vita, for no additional cost.

Unity users can register for free with Sony Computer Entertainment to obtain a licence to test and deploy on the PS Mobile and PS Vita platforms.

A full release for the new Unity for PSM development environment will follow in the summer.

Right now, however, the developers can get to grips with the preview version, which uses a specially customised version of Unity 4.3.

Sony said that the Unity for PS Mobile suite enables easy porting of iOS and Android games for Vita and Vita TV.

Unity support for PS Vita was added in January, and includes features such as Trophies, Friends list and matchmaking. The ongoing developments with Unity are part of a partnership the engine maker brokered with Sony at the beginning of its PS4 campaign.

Developer can find out more about the new software and register with SCE here.

Source: Develop

Train2Game News PlayStation 4 one handed controller

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benheckonehandedps4_1Ben Heck, who makes some great projects for element14 and Farnell has created a one handed PS4 controller, to make gaming accessible for players with disabilities.

By moving the left analogue stick to the rear of the controller, the player is able to use their leg to manoeuvre the controller. The shoulder buttons and D-pad have also be rewired to the right side of the controller.

This is a great project that allows more people to experience the world of gaming that has helped a lot of us through our lives.

You can enjoy the video of the controller being built below thanks to http://uk.farnell.com/:

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 24.03.14

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inFamousSecondSon-1Sony has a good week in the charts this week with inFamous Second Son taking the number one spot. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes makes it’s debut at number two this week with Final Fantasy X and X-2 arriving at number four.

All formats
Week ending 22 March 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 INFAMOUS: SECOND SON SONY COMPUTER ENT. –
2 METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES KONAMI –
3 TITANFALL EA GAMES 1
4 FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD REMASTER SQUARE ENIX –
5 SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH UBISOFT 3
6 – FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 6
7 DARK SOULS II BANDAI NAMCO GAMES 2
8 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 4
9 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE EA GAMES 7
10 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 9
11 THIEF SQUARE ENIX 5
12 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 8
13 BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 10
14 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 11
15 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 13
16 YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND NINTENDO 12
17 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 14
18 ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES SEGA 15
19 NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS EA GAMES 18
20 RAYMAN LEGENDS UBISOFT 16
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News YoYo Games partners with Sony

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SONY_logoYoYo Games, home of the GameMaker: Studio games development platform and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) have entered into an agreement to collaborate on publishing support.

The collaboration makes creating and publishing GameMaker: Studio games to PlayStation platforms easy and free of charge for all licensed PlayStation developers.

GameMaker: Studio support for PlayStation’s licensed developer program also includes support for PSNSM features as well as licensed platform peripherals including controllers, control inputs and cameras.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone in our strategy to make powerful, cross-platform game development more widely accessible,” said Sandy Duncan, Chief Executive Officer at YoYo Games. “It’s particularly good news for the Indie development community in that it will remove the complexity barrier that exists in delivering Indie gaming experiences to PlayStation users.”

“We are pleased to be working with YoYo Games to deliver GameMaker: Studio for our PlayStation platforms,” said Teiji Yutaka, Senior Vice President, Technology Platform of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “PlayStation users will soon be allowed to enjoy a wide variety of creative games including unique indie game titles from GameMaker’s growing global community of developers, which includes some of the most acclaimed independent talent in the world including indie development community.”

YoYo Games will be demonstrating games created with GameMaker: Studio running on PS4 and PS Vita at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 21 at booth 1924.

The GameMaker: Studio open beta for licensed PlayStation developers will be available immediately following GDC. GameMaker: Studio’s exports for PS4, PS Vita and PS3 are currently in development, with availability to licensed developers expected April 30 for PS4, May 30 for PS Vita and June 30 for PS3.

Anyone interested in becoming a licensed PlayStation developer can register their interest with SCE at https://www.companyregistration.playstation.com/.

Train2Game News Sony VR Headset announced

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project_morpheusSony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida revealed the PS4 virtual reality headset, codenamed ‘Project Morpheus’, during an industry presentation late on Tuesday at GDC.

Sony aired short video clips of a prototype version of the headset – which appeared to consist of Sony’s current HMZ head mounted display with a Move controller attached to the side – being used to play a first-person version of God of War 3. The corporation also showed a video of downloadable title Datura being tested with the device. Sony has been working on the VR headset for three years

“Virtual reality is the next innovation from from PlayStation that may well shape the future of games.” Yoshida announced.

Morpheus will seamlessly integrate with the PS4 Move controllers and the unit also can mirror its display on a TV, allowing others to spectacle gameplay. The headset also adopts 3D audio technology uniquely developed by SCE. In addition to sounds coming from front, behind, left and right, Morpheus recreates stereoscopic sounds heard from below and above the players, such as footsteps climbing up stairs below them, or engine noises of helicopters flying overhead.

Only a single VR headset will be connectible to a PS4 console at a time.

Release date and pricing were left undisclosed, with Sony only willing to say that it would be released “as soon as possible and for as low as possible”.

The tech specs released for Project Morpheus are below:

  • LCD panel size: 5 inches
  • Panel Resolution: 1920×RGB×1080 (960×RGB×1080 per eye)
  • 1000Hz head tracking
  • Field of View: 90 degrees
  • Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope
  • Connection interface: HDMI + USB
  • 3D audio support
  • ‘Social Screen feature’ mirrors experience onto TV (Allows for unique asymmetric gameplay)
  • 3 meter working volume
  • Supports ‘forward prediction’
  • DualShock 4 and PS Move compatible
  • Highly adjustable unit
  • Direct on-board audio jack for headphones
  • No weight placed on nose or cheeks

 

Train2Game News: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn PS4 release date

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PS2CoverSheet108Square Enix, Inc. have announced that FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released on the Sony PlayStation 4 on April 14, 2014 with official service beginning on the same day.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn on PlayStation 4 system will be available in either a Standard Edition or Collector’s Edition with pre-orders for both starting January 27. Pre-orders for either edition will include two in-game items (Mog Cap & Cait Sith Doll minion) and the ability to participate in Early Access starting on April 11. The limited Collector’s Edition comes packaged with an art book, music CD, art cards, a themed security token, and several special in-game bonus items.

Existing players who have registered a copy of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Collector’s Edition or FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition, or who utilized the digital Collector’s Edition upgrade service, will automatically receive the two new in-game items (Fat Chocobo Mount & Wind-up Moogle minion) that are making their debut in the new PlayStation 4 system Collector’s Edition for free.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn PlayStation 4 system Collector’s Edition Includes:

  • Special box featuring artwork by Yoshitaka Amano
  • Art Book – The Art of Eorzea: A Realm Reimagined
  • Special Soundtrack -The Sounds of Eorzea-
  • Seventh Umbral Era Special Movie Content Disc – The Waning of the Sixth Sun
  • Art Card Set
  • Themed Security Token
  • In-Game Items – Coeurl Mount, Behemoth Barding, Baby Behemoth minion, Helm of Light, Fat Chocobo Mount and Wind-up Moogle minion

PlayStation 4 system owners will be able to join the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Beta Test at no charge starting on February 22. Players who own the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system version of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be able to transfer their accounts to the PlayStation 4 system version for free starting April 11. Once transferred, PlayStation 4 system players will no longer be able to access the PlayStation 3 system version. To play both versions, a player must purchase the PlayStation 4 system version separately. Additional account transfer details will be announced at a later date.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Standard Edition for the PlayStation 4 system will be available for $39.99. FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition for the PlayStation 4 system will be available exclusively on the Square Enix Online Store for $79.99. A digital version of the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition will be available for $59.99 through the PlayStation Network. PlayStation 3 system and PlayStation 4 system Standard Edition owners can also choose to upgrade to a digital Collector’s Edition to receive the in-game items through the FINAL FANTASY XIV Account Management System, Mog Station. A free 30-day trial is included for new accounts, with monthly subscriptions starting at $12.99.